Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Shopping made easier!


As most of you know, I have MS and that can be challenging. For me, it means my legs don't always cooperate that well as far as walking goes!

I am a little scared to go too far out of my comfort zone lately due to the walking challenges, so I wanted to share with you some ways that I am managing the holiday shopping! (I manage birthday shopping the same way.)

Since actually "going out" and doing the shopping alone is pretty hard for me at this point, I have a few tricks to share with anyone who wants to make this season's shopping easier!

  • My own small businesses help me get gift-shopping done! I can order through Regal and Close To My Heart to make gift-giving easier. THEY DELIVER right to the customer's (and my!!) door! 
  • Scholastic Books: I just choose and order what the kids would like when the forms come home from school. Then I tell family members about the items I have purchased. Family are thrilled to give books, and thus, their shopping is DONE through me! AND:  it helps our schools! Extra books? Santa brings them! More shopping done.
  • School fundraisers: Sometimes the things the school has for sale as fundraisers helps gift-giving dilemmas. Use this to your advantage!  This fall, we gave a subscription to Time magazine to a hard-to-give-to person who loves to keep up on news and current events. Last year, we found some Italian-styled kitchen accessories for our beloved neighbors who enjoy cooking. PERFECTION! 
  • Avon: I use Avon as a HUGE help in purchasing gifts!  My Avon lady delivers and takes orders online. This is awesome. I can help her small business this way, too.
  • Non-profit group fundraisers: A friend's kids are in Beavers and she was helping them sell frozen cookie dough as a fundraiser! Guess who bought some cookie dough to make cookies that will be perfect for eating at Christmas? (Shortbread and double chocolate.) 
  • Watkins:  My friend is a representative for this company. She had a fantastic item available that I have ordered for my MIL. It comes in a gift box, too! Look at this! LOL 

**Watkins Holiday Gift Pack for the Baker!!** 
"Gourmet Bakers’ Essentials"
This pre-packaged gift assortment will arrive in a stylish white gift box with classic 
black logo and bow! An assortment of extracts and baking basics that is a must-have for every home.
Pure Almond (2 fl oz/59 mL)
Pure Lemon (2 fl oz/59 mL)
Pure Vanilla (2 fl oz/59 mL)
Purest Granulated Black Pepper (6 oz/170 g)
Purest Ground Cinnamon (6 oz/170 g)
Baking Powder (9.24 oz/262 g)
All-Natural Baking Cocoa (3.9 oz/110 g)



  • Other: Ordering from online businesses whose owners have products and services that we need is easy...I do this regularly!
Examples-

Each of these businesses provide delivery and their products and customer service are superb.
  • Another idea is to simplify by using what you are "good at" as a gift.  MAKE your Christmas gifts. I love doing this! 
- Last year I made my Mom and my MIL each a set of 20 all-occasion cards. They loved them! (My business is called The Perfect Card.)

- I like to make Cracker Candy to give as gifts. Another post on that, soon!

- I also love to bake when my legs are being cooperative, LOL!
Sugar Cookies make a great gift! Will share recipe soon!

- This fall I "scrapbooked" 6 pages of SIL's wedding photos and also created 2 pages showcasing her wedding invitation (I took it apart so she could see both the inside and outside). I am so excited to be able to give this to her!
  • Make and give recipe mixes! The ones layered in the Mason jars are so enticing!
This  Christmas, DD plans to make some mixes for her Aunts. I found her some ideas at:
All recipes
Recipe link 
Recipe Goldmine

So, you can see how much fun you can have while shopping from home! You're supporting your community members, your OWN small business or the businesses of others, while not even leaving your house.

And remember: You can even use your own creative skills to make gifts, treats, or gifts-in-a-jar mixes. All of this makes shopping easier & reduces the number of shopping trips you need to make!

I hope some of these ideas were helpful to you!

Ohhhh, I have one more idea for my scrappy friends. Want a little pre-Christmas giftie? This is a treat my DH is giving me!! Read on and enjoy checking out Lain Ehmann's latest scrapbooking class. Lain's courses and  educational materials are second to none. She is my favourite scrapbooking instructor. And, this is so reasonably priced, it'll make you smile. 
Here is the link to "Your Stories, Your Life" - check it out! Hope to see you there!



Chat soon!
~

Memories MATTER!

As you all probably know I LOVE Lain Ehmann and her classes are right up my alley!
Well, she has a new class starting soon and my hubby is giving it to me as a little pre-Christmas giftie.
The class is called "Your Stories, Your Life."
I'm taking it because I love to scrapbook.
...Because I love to tell stories.
...Because MEMORIES MATTER.


...Won't you join us?
I'd be so thrilled to see you! Use the link "Your Stories, Your Life" to register. It's that easy! And-- the low price will make you a Happy Camper! So much value!
See you there!
~